Normal Parameters for healthy adult horses:
Temperature 99-101 F ( 37.2- 38.3 C)
Pulse 28-44 BPM (beats per minute)
Respirations 10-24 Breaths Per Minute
Mucous Membranes light pink, moist
CRT capillary Refill Time < 2.0 seconds
Skin Tent response Immediate
Gut sounds should be present in all 4 areas of the abdomen
Digital Pulses normal is difficult to detect,
if they are bounding/easy to find, there is a problem.
*** Knowing your own horses normal Vital Signs is very important. We use these normals to understand markers of disease and degree of illness.
Variables within normal:
* Very fit horses may have low end resting heart rates and resp rates
*Older horses, fat horses, unfit horses may have slightly higher end resting heart rates.
* If a horse is nervous during the exam, the heart rate and resp rate may be elevated.
Why Every Horse Owner Should Know How To Take Vitals?
Every owner should have their own stethoscope and thermometer kept in the barn. When clienst first call with a colic, the first few questions I ask are:
1) What is the heart rate?
2) what is the Temperature
3) What do the gums look like?
Being able to answer these questions will help you get the best care for your horse. Don't wait until you have an emergency to learn how to take vitals signs! Be sure to know your horses' own specific Normals while your horse is healthy.
If you don't know how to take vitals, No Worries!
If you provide your own stethoscope, Dr Bielawski will be more than happy to teach you how to take vitals at your next appointment. Be ready to practice once you learn how to do it, practice on all the normal horses in your barn will help solidify your new skills.
If you are already a Tampa Bay Equine client I would LOVE for you to go to my Facebook page and relate how having the skill to take Vitals has helped your horse!
Good Reference /How to Articles
"How to take a HeartRate" The Horse
"How to Evaluate Mucous Membranes" The Horse
"Vital Signs of Life in the Horse" The Horse
"Know Your Horse in Health" The Horse
Farm calls
Fecal Egg Testing and Deworming
Internal Medicine
Colic, Cushings,laminitis, IR
Farm Calls and practice area
My practice area is approximately 1 hour radius, from Zephyrhills, FL 33539. Farm call fees are based on distance from 33539. Some farms farther away may be accommodated, please call me for more information.
Fecal Egg Counts(FEC) Testing and Deworming:
New scientific evidence is proving that parasites are rapidly becoming resistant to dewormers, much in the way bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics.
Due to these concerns, Rotational Deworming (which was developed and instituted over 40 years ago) is no longer the only ideal method to treat parasite burdens. An improved approach is called Targeted Deworming (or Strategic Deworming) and the goal is only to deworm against the specific parasites which are present, not just broad spectrum.
Targeted Deworming
The Fecal Egg Count is the basis of this approach . (FEC)
A fresh ( as possible ) fecal sample is needed . After testing, your horse will be classified as a low shedder, a medium shedder or a high shedder of eggs. It will then be determined if your horse needs to be dewormed.
FEC are now abe to be done on the farm if you have more than 4 horses.
Please contact Dr Bielawski for more information
link to Q and A re Targeted Deworming via TheHorse
Routine Wellness Veterinary Care
( please visit the vaccine, coggins info on the sub-menu)
TAMPA BAY EQUINE PRACTICE, llc
Zephyrhills, FL 33539
(352) 812-0042
This number does not accept text messages, please call or email TampaBayEquine@yahoo.com